SSC ASO Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025: Notification and 341 Vacancies
Staff Selection Commission — Department of Personnel and Training / Ministry of External Affairs
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Staff Selection Commission has issued an official recruitment notification for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade, announcing a total of 341 vacancies located in All India. The online application window opens on 25 June 2026 and closes on 16 July 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold 6 years approved service in feeder grade (UDC/UD Grade), with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Pay Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 - Rs. 1,42,400). The selection procedure comprises Computer Based Examination (300 Marks) followed by APAR Evaluation (100 Marks). For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Staff Selection Commission Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Important Dates
| Application Start | 25 Jun 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
16 Jul 2026
|
| Exam Date | 01 Aug 2026 |
📋 Staff Selection Commission Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Eligibility & Overview
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| Qualification | 6 years approved service in feeder grade (UDC/UD Grade) |
| Salary | Pay Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 - Rs. 1,42,400) |
| Selection Process | Computer Based Examination (300 Marks) followed by APAR Evaluation (100 Marks) |
7th Pay Commission In-Hand Salary Explainer
Pay Level 7 (Grade Pay ₹4,600) • Starting Basic: ₹44,900/month
📝 Staff Selection Commission Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of SSC Assistant Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025. This recruitment is exclusively for eligible in-service government employees aiming for promotion to the Group B Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level-7.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Service / Cadre | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 318 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | 23 |
| Total | 341 |
Eligibility and Service Conditions
Candidates must ensure they meet the criteria as of 01 July 2025. This exam is not open to the general public.
- CSS (DoPT): Officers in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service with at least six years of approved service.
- MEA (Cadre Cell): Officers in the Upper Division Clerk Grade with at least six years of approved service and completion of mandatory training programmes.
Examination Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 2026-06-25 |
| Online Application Last Date | 2026-07-16 |
| Hard Copy Receipt (General) | 2026-07-23 |
| Hard Copy Receipt (Remote Areas) | 2026-07-30 |
| Computer Based Examination (Tentative) | 2026-08-01 |
Steps to Apply
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in). Note that previous registrations from the old portal are not valid.
- Log in and select the 'Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025' link.
- Fill in the required departmental service details.
- Capture a live photograph and upload the required scanned signature and service documents.
- Submit the application online and print a copy.
- Important: The printed application must be forwarded through your respective Head of Department or Head of Office to SSC Northern Region by the specified deadline. Failure to follow the departmental forwarding process will lead to rejection.
Exam Pattern
The selection is based on two parts:
- Part-I: Computer Based Examination (CBE) consisting of two papers, each of 150 marks. Total duration is 3 hours per paper.
- Part-II: Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) for 100 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can candidates who registered on the old SSC website apply directly?
- No, all candidates must create a fresh One-Time Registration (OTR) on the updated ssc.gov.in portal.
- Is this exam open to the public?
- No, this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination reserved specifically for serving government officials in specified feeder cadres.
- What happens if the hard copy is not forwarded by the department?
- Online submission is insufficient. Applications not forwarded by the Head of Department/Head of Office will be summarily rejected.